‘Fab Four' Set For Richmond Night Out

PETER McDermott, part owner of Saturday night's Group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers winner Blue Moon Rising, says that if his star galloper was part of a football team, there'd be one accolade definitely coming his way.

"He'd be most improved for sure – I think we're up to his past 15 starts now where he's finished either first or second, he just doesn't run a bad race," said McDermott of Blue Moon Rising, his group 1 success at the weekend taking his record to 19 wins and prizemoney of $245,000.

"It was a terrific night at The Meadows, they put on a great show and it was good to win some of their money for once, they certainly come to NSW and win enough of ours!"

A son of champion sire Fernando Bale and Group 1 winner Chica Destacada, Blue Moon Rising is from a well-documented litter that comprises Poco Dorado, Veloce Nero and Two Times Twice, the quartet now up to 81 race wins between them with prizemoney of $751,000.

And while the ‘fab four' will be out in force at Richmond this Friday, Veloce Nero tackling the Group 2 Richmond Oaks Final (535m), Two Times Twice his second consecutive Group 2 Richmond Derby Final (535m), and Poco Dorado and Blue Moon Rising the John McCombe Memorial (618m), there's a youngster nestled away in the opening event from box one that's sure to attract plenty of interest also.

The name – Making A Memory, a first starter from Chica Destacada's second litter to Barcia Bale, just 19 months of age.

"There were nine in the litter, John and Minnie have seven for myself and Dennis while Kerry and Doreen (Drynan) have the other two, they're coming along nicely but for now they're more at the education stage," said McDermott.

"The bitch that's in on Friday has come to hand a bit quicker than the rest for John and Minnie, if she comes out and gets a clear run from box one she'll run a good race.

"Obviously the first litter is going to be a very hard act to follow but John and Minnie are happy with where they are at for now. Although they have said they are a different type to the first litter and aren't likely to get over a distance. We are looking forward to what's ahead."

Such is the success being enjoyed from Chica Destacada's first litter to Fernando Bale, the National Sprint winner returned to the champion sire for her third litter, whelping six pups last October.

"She had six to Fernando Bale this time, four bitches and two dogs, in each of her three litters she's had the two dogs," added McDermott.

"Kerry and Doreen whelped the three litters for us and did a wonderful job. The third litter of pups will be eligible for the Golden Muzzle Auction series that has just been announced. We will have to give some thought to entering some of the pups in that. It sounds like a great initiative."

While Poco Dorado and Blue Moon Rising look set to dominate Friday night's John McCombe Memorial over the 618m, Veloce Nero and Two Times Twice's Oaks and Derby prospects are considered far loftier, McDermott very matter-of-fact about their chances.

"They are big odds for the finals but when you look at the times the heat winners ran in both series' you can understand why I suppose," added McDermott.

"Lots can happen in these big races, as we saw at The Meadows on Saturday night, and Richmond is like their second home so if some luck goes their way they'll be getting home well, both coming back from 720m metre races.

"There's some nice staying races coming up for them at Wentworth Park with the Gold Cup and Association Cup so that's the plan over Easter.

"And as for the Barcia Bale litter, John and Minnie are just happy to take them along slowly, which is just fine by me and Dennis."